2024 Best Colleges for Public Policy

If you’re searching for the best colleges and universities for Public Policy, you’re in the right place. Below is a list of all universities in the US offering a Public Policy degree or major, along with earnings after graduation, average student loan debt, acceptance rate and more. Read More

We rigorously analyzed a host of variables to determine what colleges and universities offer the best Public Policy programs in America. The list includes 70 programs and you can sort by average salary, debt, acceptance rate and more to hone in on the the best programs for you.

If you’re still wondering whether Public Policy is the right field of study for you, check out our guide to majoring in Public Policy: what you can do with the major, how much you’ll make, and more.

For the purposes of these rankings we prioritized earnings after graduation 6 years and 10 years out for students that majored in Public Policy. Please note that earnings are one metric of success that can be used to judge a Public Policy program, but are by no means the best or only option. However, because this variable is provided by the vast majority of universities offering Public Policy we used it as the primary method or ordering the best universities for Public Policy.

By scrolling all the way through the list you’ll find every college or university that offers a Public Policy in America.

Frequently Asked Questions about the Best Universities offering Public Policy Majors and Degrees

What is the best university for majoring in Public Policy?

Cornell University is the best university for majoring in Public Policy based on earnings data. On average, graduates from Cornell University earned an average of $69,897 2 years after graduating.

What is the cheapest university for majoring in Public Policy?

University of Science and Arts of Oklahoma is the cheapest university for majoring in Public Policy based on the Department of Education tuition data. On average, students pay $6,270 to attend University of Science and Arts of Oklahoma.

What is the most expensive university for majoring in Public Policy?

University of Chicago is the most expensive university for majoring in Public Policy based on the Department of Education tuition data. On average, students pay $51,351 to attend University of Chicago.

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#31 Best College for Public Policy
Average Salary $35,060
Average Debt $20,941
Program Size 48
The University of Texas at Dallas
4 Year
Richardson, TX
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The University of Texas at Dallas, located in Richardson, TX has 48 students majoring in Public Policy. On average, graduates earn $35,060.
Acceptance Rate 61%
Undergraduates 6,952 students
Tuition $10,864
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#32 Best College for Public Policy
Average Salary $33,281
Average Debt $32,000
Program Size 41
Regent University
4 Year
Virginia Beach, VA
Regent University, located in Virginia Beach, VA has 41 students majoring in Public Policy. On average, graduates earn $33,281.
Acceptance Rate 84%
Undergraduates 1,786 students
Tuition $16,478
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#33 Best College for Public Policy
Average Salary $31,880
Average Debt $18,500
Program Size 128
University of California-Riverside (UCR)
4 Year
Riverside, CA
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University of California-Riverside (UCR), located in Riverside, CA has 128 students majoring in Public Policy. On average, graduates earn $31,880.
Acceptance Rate 56%
Undergraduates 5,454 students
Tuition $13,527
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#34 Best College for Public Policy
Average Salary $30,771
Average Debt $20,355
Program Size 56
University of Connecticut
4 Year
Storrs, CT
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University of Connecticut, located in Storrs, CT has 56 students majoring in Public Policy. On average, graduates earn $30,771.
Acceptance Rate 53%
Undergraduates 7,782 students
Tuition $13,366
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#35 Best College for Public Policy
Average Salary $29,685
Average Debt N/A
Program Size 29
Pomona College
4 Year
Claremont, CA
Pomona College, located in Claremont, CA has 29 students majoring in Public Policy. On average, graduates earn $29,685.
Acceptance Rate 10%
Undergraduates 387 students
Tuition $47,620
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#36 Best College for Public Policy
Average Salary $28,019
Average Debt $25,000
Program Size 24
DePaul University
4 Year
Chicago, IL
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DePaul University , located in Chicago, IL has 24 students majoring in Public Policy. On average, graduates earn $28,019.
Acceptance Rate 72%
Undergraduates 6,392 students
Tuition $36,361
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#37 Best College for Public Policy
Average Salary N/A
Average Debt N/A
Program Size 157
University of Virginia-Main Campus
4 Year
Charlottesville, VA
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University of Virginia-Main Campus, located in Charlottesville, VA has 157 students majoring in Public Policy. On average, graduates earn N/A.
Acceptance Rate 30%
Undergraduates 6,591 students
Tuition $15,192
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#38 Best College for Public Policy
Average Salary N/A
Average Debt N/A
Program Size 146
SUNY Empire State College
4 Year
Saratoga Springs, NY
SUNY Empire State College, located in Saratoga Springs, NY has 146 students majoring in Public Policy. On average, graduates earn N/A.
Acceptance Rate N/A
Undergraduates 2,767 students
Tuition $6,985
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#39 Best College for Public Policy
Average Salary N/A
Average Debt N/A
Program Size 69
SUNY at Albany
4 Year
Albany, NY
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SUNY at Albany, located in Albany, NY has 69 students majoring in Public Policy. On average, graduates earn N/A.
Acceptance Rate 56%
Undergraduates 4,399 students
Tuition $8,996
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#40 Best College for Public Policy
Average Salary N/A
Average Debt $27,000
Program Size 38
University of Redlands
4 Year
Redlands, CA
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University of Redlands, located in Redlands, CA has 38 students majoring in Public Policy. On average, graduates earn N/A.
Acceptance Rate 68%
Undergraduates 1,633 students
Tuition $44,900
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#41 Best College for Public Policy
Average Salary N/A
Average Debt N/A
Program Size 37
Stanford University
4 Year
Stanford, CA
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Stanford University, located in Stanford, CA has 37 students majoring in Public Policy. On average, graduates earn N/A.
Acceptance Rate 5%
Undergraduates 4,779 students
Tuition $46,320
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#42 Best College for Public Policy
Average Salary N/A
Average Debt N/A
Program Size 32
Rutgers University-New Brunswick
4 Year
New Brunswick, NJ
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Rutgers University-New Brunswick, located in New Brunswick, NJ has 32 students majoring in Public Policy. On average, graduates earn N/A.
Acceptance Rate 58%
Undergraduates 12,668 students
Tuition $14,131
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#43 Best College for Public Policy
Average Salary N/A
Average Debt N/A
Program Size 32
Barnard College
4 Year
New York, NY
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Barnard College, located in New York, NY has 32 students majoring in Public Policy. On average, graduates earn N/A.
Acceptance Rate 20%
Undergraduates 606 students
Tuition $47,631
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#44 Best College for Public Policy
Average Salary N/A
Average Debt N/A
Program Size 29
Elon University
4 Year
Elon, NC
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Elon University , located in Elon, NC has 29 students majoring in Public Policy. On average, graduates earn N/A.
Acceptance Rate 57%
Undergraduates 1,642 students
Tuition $32,172
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#45 Best College for Public Policy
Average Salary N/A
Average Debt N/A
Program Size 27
Georgia Institute of Technology-Main Campus
4 Year
Atlanta, GA
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Georgia Institute of Technology-Main Campus, located in Atlanta, GA has 27 students majoring in Public Policy. On average, graduates earn N/A.
Acceptance Rate 32%
Undergraduates 6,559 students
Tuition $12,204
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Other Major Rankings
Best Public Policy Programs by State
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